Grouping of flexible bags



April 30, 1968 P. J. PINTO GROUPING OF FLEXIBLE BAGS Filed June 20, 1967 8 m0 ET W w J United States atent 3,380,579 GROUPING F FLEXIBEE BAGS Patrick J. Pinto, Freehold, N.J., assignor to William E. Young, Stamford, Conn. Filed June 20, 1967, Ser. No. 651,935 7 Claims. (Cl. 206-57) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A plastic film bag of automatic self-opening or square construction and grouped with like bags are provided with a pair of apertures extending through the face and back of the bag and with one aperture provided in each tuck or gusset. The pair of apertures are aligned when the bag is in a folded position. The bags are grouped together in lots such as fifty but may be more or less and are joined together as a group at their face and back so that all of the apertured holes in the group of bags are aligned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention The field of art to which this invention pertains is in the general class of special receptacles and packages and pertains more particularly to the subclass of receptacles with dispensing, and further under dispensing to the subclass of those identified as paper sheets. The bags of this invention are contemplated to be of plastic film; however, as a bag it serves the same purpose as a paper bag. The field of art of this invention may also be found in the general class of paper receptacles and more particularly in the subclass dealing with envelopes, and even more particularly to those which are series connected.

Description of the prior art The grouping of bags together to permit ready mounting of the bags upon bag holders has been the subject of many inventions and in particular is represented in the U.S. Patent No. 3,198,325 to White of Aug. 3, 1965, and in a like US. Patent No. 3,100,569 also issued to White on Aug. 13, 1963; bagging means are shown in the US. Patent No. 3,312,- 339 to Million issued Apr. 4, 1967. A grouping of bags is also shown in a garment bag dispenser in the US. Patent No. 2,997,167 to Westfall, of Aug. 22, 1961.

These and many other patents are indicative of the activity in the bagging art wherein it is contemplated and desired to substitute bags made of the highly versatile and pleasing plastic film for the bags now made of kraft paper and the like. Prior to this invention the use of plastic bags for random packaging has been limited because of the difiiculty in holding the bag in an open position for and during the filling of the bag. When plastic bags of thin film have been used with particular holders the bags in a loose condition require a deft and slow manipulation of the bags for racking of the bags up n the bag holder. The present invention contemplates the grouping of plastic bags and connecting the bags in a separable condition, the connected bags having a pair of aligned apertures disposed therethrough and providing means for ready mounting as a group of bags on a bag holder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention contemplates the assembly of plastic bags preferably having rectangular bottoms and generally identified as automatic self-opening or square bags. These bags are grouped and in an aligned condition are connected as a package at their face and back panels or walls. Through these panels and the tuck or gusset portions of each bag there are formed a pair of aligned apertures and in addition flexible bags and 3,386,579 Patented Apr. 30, 1968 ice group of bags is ready for mounting on the arms of a bag holder.

It is an object of this invention to provide a means for assembling, aligning and ready use of a group of bags arranged as a bag package in which the face and back panels or walls of the bags are connected as by means of riveting, Welding, stapling or by adhesive attachment.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a group of bags made of plastic film and arranged as a package, said bags being identified as automatic selfopening or square and preferably with fiat bottoms. N ar the top of the bags there are formed or provided a pair of aligned apertures of determined size and positioned so that an aperture is formed on each side of the face and back panel and through each gusset or tuck. As a group of bags of a determined number they are connected to each other so as to provide a substantially flat package and as connected, the package may be handled and readily mounted on a bag holder with the group of bags maintaining their assembled alignment.

INTENT OF THE DISCLOSURE Although the following disclosure offered for public dissemination is detailed to ensure adequacy and aid in understanding of the invention, this is not intended to prejudice that purpose of a patent which is to cover each new inventive concept therein no matter how it may later be disguised by variations in form or additions of further improvements. The claims at the end hereof are intended as the chief aid toward this purpose, as it is these that meet the requirement of pointing out the improvements, combinations and methods in which the inventive concepts are found.

There has been chosen a specific embodiment of the bags showing a preferred and alternate means for joining the bags to form a group of bags, these embodiments being chosen for the purposes of illustration and description of the product and method of grouping these plastic bags and these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawing forming a part of the specification wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 represents an isometric view of an assembled package of bags as mounted on a bag holder and showing the outermost of the bags open and ready for the filling of the bag;

FIG. 2 represents a front view of a package of bags as aligned and assembled and showing the location of and one means for assembling the bags into a package;

FIG. 3 represents a front view of another group of bags wherein the gussets of the bags are of a greater inward extent than the bags of FIG. 2 and are such that the means for assembling the face and rear panels are arranged in a vertical rather than -a horizontal manner;

FIG. 4 represents a plan view looking downwardly on an assemblage of automatic self-opening or square bags prior to their being joined at their front and rear panels;

FIG. 5 represents a plan view looking downwardly on the assemblage of the bags of FIG. 4 and after their face and rear panels are joined;

FIG. 6 represents a fragmentary sectional view in an enlarged scale and showing a method for assembling the panels of the plastic bags as by plastic riveting;

FIG. 7 represents a fragmentary sectional view in an enlarged scale and showing a method for assembling the panels of the bags by means of a metal rivet;

FIG. 8 represents a fragmentary sectional view in an enlarged scale and showing a method for assembling the panels of the bags by means of a staple, and

FIG. 9 represents a fragmentary sectional view in an enlarged scale and showing a method for assembling the front and rear panels of the bags to adjacent panels of other bags by means of an adhesive.

DESCRlPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing in which like numbers represent like members throughout the several figures, and particularly to PEG. 1 in which there is shown an assemblage or group of plastic bags which includes an outermost bag 22 having a face panel 24 and a rear panel 26 which are typical of each of the bags. Bags of the preferred configuration are known as automatic self-opening or square bags and having side walls 2 8 and 39 which, as the bag is made, are folded inwardly towards each other to form face-tdface gusset or tuck portions.

Referring next to FIG. 2, it is to be noted that when the bags are in the folded position prior to the opening thereof, they are joined by a pair of horizontally disposed panel retaining means 32 which are applied to the grouping of bags so that as an assembled group the bags have their sides, tops and bottoms substantially aligned. After, or as the bags are assembled, a pair of apertures 34 and 36 are formed or aligned in the bags. At the time of manufacture or after the bags have been assembled these apertures are formed of a definite selected diameter and location. In this embodiment the gussets of the side walls are of a size such that their infolded edges 37 and 38 leave a space between which the retaining means 32 are permitted to be formed in a generally horizontal arrangement and, as for example, two or three inches apart.

Referring next to FIG. 3, it is to be note-d that in certain folded bags, particularly those referred to as square, have the infolded edges of the gussets relatively close to each other, these edges as indicated by dashed outline and identified as 40 and 42 are of a size to leave very little room in the face and back panel portions which are not in the way of the gussets of the bags. To attach the face and back bag portions of the group of bags by means of rivets or like joining means requires that two retaining means 44 and 46 are disposed in a vertical manner. The apertures 34 and 36 are still of the same determined size and spacing and are selected to suit the size of bag and the bag holder. Each aperture, of course, extends through the face and rear walls as well as each panel of the inturned gusset or tuck of each bag.

Referring next to FIG. 4, there is shown a group of bags 20 as assembled and aligned as far as their sides, tops and bottoms. The face and back portions and the gusset portions of the side walls of the bags may have the apertures 34 and 36 already formed therein and aligned or these apertures may be formed at a later operation.

Referring next to FIG. 5, the bags of FIG. 4 are still shown as in an aligned condition and the face and rear panel portions between the side Wall gussets are welded or otherwise attached together by retaining means 32 so that the grouped bags, as a package, have their face and rear panels drawn tightly together.

Referring next to FIG. 6, there is seen a multiplicity of panel portions 24 and 26 of the group of bags 20 as assembled and joined locally as by forming a hot welded plastic rivet 50. In the method of forming the rivet a heated pin is passed through the successive face and rear panels of the grouped bags. In the forming of the rivet the heated pin is used with a clamping means in conjunction with a support surface. The hot pin is advanced into the bags and around the pin a hot melt rivet is formed so that the panels are welded together at the rivet and are joined from front to back of the group of bags.

Referring next to FIG. 7, there is shown an assembly of face and back panels like the assembly of the panels of FIG. 6. The group of bags in this alternate assembly are generally indicated as 54, the panels of which are ioined by means of a separate plastic or metal rivet 56 having both ends formed or turned to provide flanges whereby to tightly retain and grip the several face and rear plastic panel portions.

Referring next to FIG. 8, there is shown yet another panel retaining means for connecting the bags into a group wherein the face and rear panels of the group of bags generaliy indicated as 60 are joined as by a staple 62. The staple which may be of wire has its ends turned so as to retain and grip the successive panel portions of the grouped bags.

Referring finally to FIG. 9, there is shown yet another means for assembling the group of bags in which an adhesive 70 is used to attach the panels generally indicated as 72. In this means of assembly it is to be particularly noted that the outer surface of a panel '74 is attached to the facing outer surface of the adjacent panel 76 by means of a small amount of adhesive 70. This adhesive attaching or joining means is continued through the group assembling of the bags into a package with the face of one bag being attached to the rear panel of the adjacent bag. In the separation of adjacent panels 74 and 76 holes may or may not be formed in the panels. The adhesive may be any adhesive including a thermoset or thermoplastic glue, and by conventional means may be applied to the panels of the bags as the bags are made or as they are assembled into groups. The spots of adhesive are preferably very small and are applied so as to keep the bags from shifting as the apertures are formed or aligned in the bag grouping.

USE AND OPERATION Referring again in particular to FIG. 1, it is to be noted that the group of bags 20 as assembled may be mounted upon a bag holder as represented by two outwardly extending rods 86 and 82. This holder may be mounted to a support or back 84 which is attached to or carries a bottom portion 85 sized and positioned so as to be a determined distance from the rods 80 and 82. The assembly grouping of bags as shown in either FIG. 2 or 3 are slid upon these rods for storage prior to use. At the time of use for filling one bag the operator grasps the outer or face panel 24 and causes this panel 24 to be separated from the inner rear panel 26 at the attachments provided by the welds, rivets or other joining means 32 as shown in FIGS. 6 through 9. Upon separation the face panel 24 is moved outwardly and along the rods 80 and 82. The apertures 34 and 36 in the face and rear panels and the gusset portions of the side walls of the bags are spaced so that the sides 28 and 31 may be substantially fully expanded or fully opened while still on the rods 80 and 82.

The bottom of the bag in the bag holder, as it rests upon the bottom portion 85, is preferably supported so as to permit the opened bag to be filled with groceries and the like, until such time as the bag has been filled to the desired level. The supporting of the bag permits the bag to be filled without tearing or stretching the apertured portions of the bag. After the bag is filled, the supermarket clerk or the like inserts his or her fingers between the rear panel 26 and the face panel of next adjacent bag and causes the bags to be separated at or around the retaining means 32 as exemplified by rivets or welds. With the filled outermost bag now separated from the group of bags this bag is slid off of the rods 80 and 82 and in the filled condition is given to the customer.

It is to be noted, of course, that as the bags are separated, the rivets, welds, glue portions 70, or staples 62 as shown in the various figures and described above often leave small holes in the bags. These holes, in use, have not been found objection-able, particularly if the bags are made of a tough film such as polyethylene having a thickness of one to four thousandths of an inch. The advantage of using a plastic bag as contrasted to a paper bag, of course, is not only for the aesthetic appearance and the much greater tear strength as provided by many of the plastic films but the plastic bag is also not subject to a weakening of the bag by wetting. In an initial or secondary use this plastic bag may also be utilized as a garbage holder or the like and, of course, being impervious to water is unaffected by moisture, gravies, foods and the like. These bags have many other secondary uses and as assembled in the manner described above and so that they can be readily loaded otter many advantages for use in bagging supermarket items and the like.

In the above specification and the claims to follow the terms used in conjunction with the description of the bags and their construction is to be defined in accordance with the Glossary of Packaging Terms providing for standard definitions of trade terms commonly used in packaging. The Glossary, as a reference, is the third edition compiled and published by the Packaging Institute, Inc. of 342 Madison Ave, New York, N.Y. 10017, and copyrighted 1961.

The terms in, out, up, down, across and the like are applicable to the grouping of flexible bags as shown and described in conjunction with the drawing. These terms as used are merely for the purpose of description and do not necessarily apply to the position in which the various embodiments may be constructed or used.

The conception of the grouping of flexible bags and its many applications is not limited to the examples abovedescribed but departures therefrom may be made within the scope of the accompanying claims and protection is sought to the broadest extent the prior art allows.

What is claimed is:

1. A grouping of flexible bags of plastic film and the like and adapted for mounting on a bag holder, each bag being made with gusset sides as found in automatic selfopening, square and like style bags, the bags being grouped and attached together so that when mounted on a bag holder they are separably connected to each other to maintain an alignment for mounting on bag supporting members of a bag holder and when mounted on the bag holder the face and rear panels of the bag may be separated and moved apart for filling after which the filled bag may be separated from the grouping of bags and removed from the bag holder, said grouping of flexible bags including: (a) a multiplicity of bags of like size and construction and having inturned gusseted side members, said bags being substantially aligned as to their edges and top and bottom; (b) at least two panel retaining means arranged to locally and separably connect a rear panel of one bag to a contiguous face panel of an adjacent bag and so on in sequence through the group of bags, the panel retaining means being positioned in the space between the inturned edges of the gussets of the folded bags; (c) a pair of through apertures provided in each folded bag, each aperture being of a selected size and at a determined spacing from the other, each aperture with the bag in its folded flat condition being aligned with the aperture in the adjacent portions of the bag and with one aperture provided in each side of the face and rear panels and one aperture formed in each gusset portion; (d) said panel retaining means maintaining the open end portions of the grouping of bags in their assembled alignment, and (c) said panel means also maintaining the gussets and bags in their assembled alignment so that the apertures formed in the gussets and panels of the grouping of bags are aligned to provide through passageways for easy sliding of the bags onto the bag supporting members of the bag holder.

2. A grouping of flexible bags as in claim 1 in which the retaining means are arranged in a substantially vertical relationship to the top of the bag.

3. A grouping of flexible bags as in claim 1 in which the aperture in the assembled bags are aligned so that the grouping of bags may be slid on a pair of rod-like spaced arms providing the bag supporting members.

4. A grouping of flexible bags as in claim 1 in which the bags are of thermoplastic film and the retaining means are plastic welds extending locally through the face and rear panel portions of the assembled bags.

5. A grouping of flexible bags as in claim 1 in which the retaining means are rivets extending through the face and rear panel members of the assembled bags.

6. A grouping of flexible bags as in claim 1 in which the retaining means are staples extending through the face and rear panel members of the assembled bags.

7. A grouping of flexible bags as in claim 1 in which the retaining means are small adhesive portions arranged to engage and retain the outer surface of a face portion to a facing rear portion of an adjacent bag.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,715,493 8/1955 Vogt 206-57 2,725,141 11/1955 Latvala et a1 20657 2,790,591 4/1957 Rosen 206-57 3,021,947 2/1962 Sylvester et a1 20657 3,162,305 12/1964 Schoppa 206-57 3,198,325 8/1965 White 206-57 FOREIGN PATENTS 100,277 7/1962 Norway.

WILLIAM T. DIXSON, JR., Primary Examiner. 

